(Newser)
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A 24-year-old Flagstaff police officer died after being shot by a domestic violence suspect who then killed himself yesterday afternoon in Arizona. Officer Tyler J. Stewart, 24, died at Flagstaff Medical Center, police said. Stewart was looking for the man—identified as Robert W. Smith, 28, of Prescott—about 1:30pm when Smith fired several shots at the officer, police said. Smith then shot himself and was pronounced dead at the scene, police added. Investigators do not believe Stewart fired any shots, but they continue to investigate the matter, a police spokeswoman said. Margaret Bentzen said. "It is heartbreaking to lose one of our officers," Mayor Jerry Nabours said. "We collectively mourn for his family and the entire department."

Stewart was taken to Flagstaff Medical Center in critical condition and later died, police said. Stewart had worked at the department for less than a year, police said. "This is an enormous tragedy for our department and the family of our Officer. We are a very close knit organization, and know that all members of the Flagstaff Police Department are grieving at this time. With that being said, all of the men and women of the Flagstaff Police Department extend our prayers and condolences to the family of our Officer Tyler Stewart," Chief Kevin Treadway said in a statement. The shooting was the second one of a police officer in northern Arizona in the past three months. In October, a Navajo tribal police officer was shot in the face during a shootout with a male suspect in Kaibeto, 75 miles north of Flagstaff. The officer survived.

Awww too bad the "domestic abuser" didn't shoot himself first. Darwin's law is a bit too slow. Straight people are such obvious losers at "love" and the "sanctity" of marriage.

Lefty_Libby

Dec 28, 2014 7:15 PM CST

Just wondering the usual: Did the domestic abuser have a documented history of abuse, and/or any criminal convictions for battery? If so, was he a licensed gun owner, or did he commit his crime with a hunting rifle?